New Delhi, Mar 14: The Government of India has reassured citizens that adequate stocks of petrol, diesel, and LPG are available nationwide, amid concerns arising from the ongoing geopolitical developments in West Asia. The assurance came during the third inter-ministerial briefing on the situation, held at the National Media Centre, which was attended by senior officials from the Ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas, External Affairs, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Information and Broadcasting.
Officials highlighted that India’s refining capacity of 258 MMTPA ensures self-sufficiency in petrol and diesel, with all refineries operating at high levels. Retail outlets have reported no fuel shortages, and authorities are taking strict action against unsafe practices such as selling fuel in loose containers. Citizens were advised not to panic-buy or hoard fuel.
Regarding LPG supplies, daily deliveries of around 50 lakh cylinders continue across 25,000 distributorships. The government noted a recent surge in bookings due to panic, and urged consumers to book cylinders through authorised online platforms like IVRS, SMS, WhatsApp, or official mobile apps, and avoid unnecessary crowding. Enforcement measures have been intensified at the state and district levels to curb hoarding and black marketing, including the recovery and seizure of stolen or diverted cylinders in multiple states.
The briefing also covered maritime safety and port operations, with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways reporting that 24 Indian-flagged vessels with 668 Indian seafarers are operating safely in the Persian Gulf, while 76 remain east of the Strait of Hormuz. Port operations across India remain stable, and priority measures have been implemented for LPG shipments and perishable cargo.
The Ministry of External Affairs provided updates on Indian nationals in West Asia. Recent attacks in Oman and Iraqi waters have resulted in casualties and injuries among Indian citizens, with prompt repatriation efforts underway. Over 900 calls and 200 emails have been received at the MEA Control Room since March 4, ensuring coordination with missions in the region.
The government emphasized that energy supplies, maritime operations, and citizen safety remain priorities. Citizens were urged to remain calm, avoid panic buying, use official channels for LPG bookings, and rely on verified information from government sources.
